In a somewhat surprising move, Microsoft has announced that it is retiring the Suggested Actions feature from Windows 11, a capability that was heralded as a productivity booster when it was introduced two years ago. Whether you adored the feature or barely noticed its existence, it’s time to bid farewell to this functionality, as Microsoft prepares to pivot its focus elsewhere.
Let’s take a closer look at what Suggested Actions was all about, why Microsoft might be pulling the plug on it, and what could be replacing it in the near future.
Here’s the type of magic Suggested Actions performed:
Yet, despite its forward-thinking approach, Suggested Actions now finds itself on the chopping block. But… why?
In their official wording, Microsoft explains simply, “Suggested actions that appear when you copy a phone number or future date in Windows 11 are deprecated and will be removed in a future Windows 11 update.” The lack of fanfare suggests it’s not a tearful goodbye but rather a direct strategy shift. With the meteoric rise of artificial intelligence in recent years, it's possible that Suggested Actions is being phased out in favor of more advanced tools that build on its foundation.
What makes Copilot+ such a game-changer is its comprehensive approach to assistance:
That trajectory leaves questions for you, the user:
In the meantime, keep an eye on updates, especially if you rely heavily on Suggested Actions for your workflows. And if you’re tired of manual entry already, take a peek at Copilot+ features—it's clearly Microsoft’s horse in this new AI race.
What’s your take on this? Did you find Suggested Actions helpful or was it just another feature you ignored? Do you think pivoting towards heavy AI integration is a win for end-users? Share your thoughts and spark a discussion—this might be the tip of the iceberg for bigger Windows 11 changes ahead!
Source: BetaNews Microsoft is pulling the Suggested Actions feature from Windows 11
Let’s take a closer look at what Suggested Actions was all about, why Microsoft might be pulling the plug on it, and what could be replacing it in the near future.
What Were Suggested Actions?
First introduced in 2022, Suggested Actions was designed to simplify routine tasks by giving contextual suggestions whenever users interacted with text like phone numbers or dates. The feature attempted to predict your next step and streamlined processes—almost like having an invisible assistant.Here’s the type of magic Suggested Actions performed:
- Recognizing Phone Numbers: The feature would highlight a phone number in text, letting you click it to instantly make a call through Phone Link, Skype, or Teams.
- Handling Dates: Found a mention of a meeting on a future date while reading an email? Suggested Actions enabled you to add an event to the Calendar app with a simple click.
- Boosting Collaboration: When scheduling appointments, the system proactively included people mentioned in your communication.
Yet, despite its forward-thinking approach, Suggested Actions now finds itself on the chopping block. But… why?
Why is Microsoft Dropping the Feature?
Microsoft hasn’t issued a crystal-clear explanation for why Suggested Actions is being retired, but an educated guess brings us to an ever-present tech buzzword: AI.In their official wording, Microsoft explains simply, “Suggested actions that appear when you copy a phone number or future date in Windows 11 are deprecated and will be removed in a future Windows 11 update.” The lack of fanfare suggests it’s not a tearful goodbye but rather a direct strategy shift. With the meteoric rise of artificial intelligence in recent years, it's possible that Suggested Actions is being phased out in favor of more advanced tools that build on its foundation.
Enter: AI-Powered Copilot+?
One possible explanation is that Suggested Actions is making way for Microsoft's Copilot+ initiative, which is their intelligent assistant embedded throughout the Windows ecosystem. The Copilot+ system has already introduced "Click to Do", an enhanced version of Suggested Actions that takes functionality to the next level by leveraging AI’s predictive abilities.What makes Copilot+ such a game-changer is its comprehensive approach to assistance:
- Beyond Identification: Unlike Suggested Actions, Copilot+ doesn’t just recognize data. It deeply understands context, allowing it to suggest actions tailored not just to the data but also to your workflow.
- Integrated AI: Leveraging Microsoft’s AI frameworks (likely via OpenAI-powered systems or similar machine learning models), it uses sophisticated algorithms to anticipate tasks far beyond simple scheduling.
- Customizability: This upgraded functionality promises deeper integration with tools like the Office suite, and it’s expected to expand compatibility with everyday third-party apps.
Implications for Everyday Users
Whether you’re someone who used Suggested Actions religiously or never knew it existed, the removal of this feature marks an interesting turning point for Microsoft’s approach to operating system enhancements. Here’s what it means for you:- Simplicity or Chaos? Without a direct replacement immediately available, users may be left to revert to manual workflows—copying dates or numbers and pasting them into apps like Calendar or Teams.
- Microsoft’s Focus on AI-Driven Solutions: If you’re not onboard with AI-powered tools, you might find yourself gradually alienated by the direction Microsoft is heading.
- Clear the Clutter: For users who never engaged with Suggested Actions and considered it unnecessary, this move feels like a justified slimming down of Windows 11.
Will the New AI Tools Cut Both Ways?
Let’s address the elephant in the room—AI dependency. While integrating smarter tools like Copilot+ may sound appealing on the surface, it can raise user concerns about privacy (as all that "contextual understanding" might hinge on massive data collection). Although Microsoft hasn’t explicitly said so, it’s likely that these AI-powered workflows will require an always-online system to process computations, especially if they want to maintain lightweight, efficient local hardware usage.That trajectory leaves questions for you, the user:
- Will AI-driven replacements like Copilot+ genuinely fulfill the unmet needs of Windows 11 users?
- How will offline use cases be supported in environments where internet access is unreliable or restricted?
What Happens Next?
While no timeline has been set for removing Suggested Actions, Microsoft has formally labeled it as a deprecated feature, and its disappearance could occur in an upcoming Windows 11 update. For tech aficionados curious about where things are heading, the larger implication seems to be Microsoft’s progression toward AI-first ecosystems.In the meantime, keep an eye on updates, especially if you rely heavily on Suggested Actions for your workflows. And if you’re tired of manual entry already, take a peek at Copilot+ features—it's clearly Microsoft’s horse in this new AI race.
Quick Recap:
- Suggested Actions: A contextual helper for recognizing and acting on text like phone numbers and dates.
- Reason for Retirement: Likely the rise of AI-powered solutions like Copilot+.
- Near Future: Users can say goodbye to Suggested Actions, with the promise of "Click to Do" and other AI enhancements around the corner.
What’s your take on this? Did you find Suggested Actions helpful or was it just another feature you ignored? Do you think pivoting towards heavy AI integration is a win for end-users? Share your thoughts and spark a discussion—this might be the tip of the iceberg for bigger Windows 11 changes ahead!
Source: BetaNews Microsoft is pulling the Suggested Actions feature from Windows 11